Is your weight putting your health at risk?

If you’ve started to notice that you’re piling on the pounds, your clothes not fitting may not be the only thing you have to worry about. As cosmetic surgery specialists Bella Vou note, people who are overweight (with a body mass index of 30 or more) are more at risk of a number of medical problems. If you want to learn more about how your weight could be affecting your health, this brief guide should help.

Heart disease

As your body weight increases, so does your risk of developing coronary heart disease. Extra weight causes plaque to build up inside the coronary arteries, making you more likely to have high blood pressure and high cholesterol – both of which increase the chance of heart problems developing. It’s also worth bearing in mind that being overweight can increase your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Diabetes

Excess weight, particularly around the stomach, is also a major cause of type 2 diabetes. This is because the more fatty tissue you have, the more your body becomes resistant to insulin, which can result in high levels of glucose in the bloodstream and cause an insufficient supply of energy to the cells that need it.

Cancer

Being overweight or obese is also associated with an increased risk of a number of cancer types, including endometrial, colon, breast, and gallbladder. While there are several possible explanations, it is believed that people who are obese have more fatty tissue that can produce hormones such as insulin or oestrogen, which may cause cancer cells to grow.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a relatively common condition whereby a person’s breathing is interrupted while they sleep. People who suffer from sleep apnea often have more fatty tissue around the neck, which can cause the airways to narrow and make it difficult to maintain a regular breathing pattern.

Depression and anxiety

It’s not just your physical health that can be affected by your weight. For some people, being overweight can cause low confidence and self-esteem – all of which are significant contributors to depression and anxiety.

If you feel that your weight is putting your physical or emotional health at risk, it’s a good idea to seek help from a healthcare professional who can guide you through your options. Regular medical check-ups can help you to keep a close eye on your health and set realistic goals for your weight.